Special Interest

Escape the mainstream commercialised resorts in the Red Sea, offering bog-standard 5-day dive packages, with this wonderful camel dive safari. You will explore a stretch of coastline virtually untouched, rarely dived and reached by camel, but also dive the more well-known sites close to Dahab. You will also have plenty of time to absorb the blissful experience of the Sinai desert, with two nights camping under the stars.

The Red Sea is often referred to as a diver's paradise - with great dive sites, abundant marine life, great visibility and warm waters. The northern part of the Red Sea has been selected as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of The World. In recent years some of these precious habitats have received protection.

The Best of Dahab dive package has been designed for any divers (min. qualification PADI Open Water or similar) who want to experience the ultimate Sinai experience. It combines the best dives in & around Dahab with the famous camel dive safaris and a boat safari to two different Marine Reserves. This trip is also ideal for mixed groups of divers, snorkellers and non-divers, offering sufficient variety for everybody to enjoy a week of adventure & fun.

If you are not a qualified diver as yet, PADI Open Water courses can also be arranged as well as more standard scuba-dive packages for the already qualified. Please contact us for more information and prices.

In order to escape the mainstream commercialised resorts in the Red Sea, we offer a variety of scuba-diving packages based in the relaxed village-style resort of Dahab. Dahab is situated roughly 100km north of Sharm el-Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba coast, Sinai. Dahab offers a wide range of shore dives in the Gulf of Aqaba, from shallow gentle dives to deep technical dives in the Blue Hole. In the programme are dive sites such as the Canyon, Bells to the Blue Hole, the Islands, Coral Garden, Eel Gardens, the Lighthouse, Gabr el-Bint, and potentially a boat dive to Napoleon Reef, dependent on weather conditions.

You will be based on the southern side of Dahab's seafront , and stay at the family friendly Inmo Diver's Home situated directly on the house reef with views across the Gulf of Aqaba. The hotel offers a range of family rooms, a good restaurant, swimming pool and children's playground with cave & paddling pool and several sun-lounging areas turning your stay into a relaxing and delightful experience. Child minding facilities are available whilst you dive. The dive centre offers optional courses for kids including the Bubblemaker course for young children and the Junior Open Water Course for children 10 years and older. Various adult PADI Dive courses are also available on request.

If you are looking to learn scuba-diving, where better than among the coral reefs in the warm & clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba. We offer various PADI courses and the dive centre has a large classroom combined with tables outside for the occasional outdoor sessions. The classrooms have all necessary video & audio facilities, instructional materials and manuals.

Virtually anybody in a general good health and fitness can learn to dive. You will be based either in the PADI, BASC, TDI dive centre conveniently run from the Coral Coast Hotel and located on the famous Eel Garden reef, or at the PADI, CMAS & SSI dive centre based at Daniela Village. The highly experienced & qualified dive teams are friendly and on hand at all times. Fantasea promote responsible diving practices with no more than 6 divers per group and have a comprehensive eco-policy.

Both dive centres are equipped with the latest in diving equipment, regularly maintained and renewed to ensure your comfort, safety and style. There are spacious kitting up areas, rinsing pool, locker space, large bathrooms and hot water showers.

There are only a few places in the world where a first-time visitor is confronted with a mountainous desert landscape as spectacular as that of the Sinai. On this camel safari you will trek into the heart of the desert and spend time with a Bedouin tribe learning amongst others about their techniques of survival. Visit the ancient biblical sites, such as St. Catherine's Monastery, and explore the Mount Sinai area. Sleeping under the stars in the desert is a most breathtaking and soul recharging experience.

For further reading check our Sinai Desert blog article.

This tour visits Jordan's most valuable treasure, the Rose City of Petra, and the unique landscape of the Dead Sea coast. But the main focus of this trip is to go off the beaten track, to visit and explore Jordan's the wild places such as Dana and Ajlun Nature Reserves and Wadi Rum. There are several opportunities during this tour for guided walks of varying duration through the rocky canyons and gorges of wild Jordan providing the opportunity to glance wildlife such as ostrich and Oryx.

Do you find your wildlife safari experience more important than how many golden taps your accommodation has? Then this is your Kenya wildlife safari. This trip offers an exceptional and exclusive wildlife experience with high quality guiding. All game drives are conducted in customised 4x4 safari vehicles taking a maximum of only 6 passengers. All driver/guides are wildlife experts and certified by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. The exclusive bush camps are located in private wildlife conservancies away from the tourist minibuses in both Amboseli and Masai Mara, but at a fraction of the safari lodge prices!

The advantage of being located in a private conservancy is not having to share the wealth of wildlife with 100's of other tourists. In addition, walking safaris with Maasai guides and night drives are allowed in these areas. At the same time, the conservancies are conveniently located with easy access to the Amboseli National Park and Maasai Mara Reserve.

You will need a sense of adventure! You stay in real bush camps on small camp sites with just 6 dome tents with solar lighting. You will need to be prepared to sleep on comfortable mattresses with sleeping bags on the floor. Each tent has a private bathroom, located straight behind, but not part of the tent with flush toilet, basin, and safari shower. The bush camps are surrounded by thorn tree bushes, chain-link and/or post fences for added security.

This camping safari in small private mobile camps, is one of the best and most affordable ways to experience Kenya's natural attractions. The safari has been designed to include a variety of habitats so that the widest diversity of wildlife can be seen. The camps are sited in private conservancies so that walking and night drives may be taken but are also conveniently located for easy access to Amboseli and Nakuru National Parks and the world renowned Masai Mara.
The sample itinerary below will give you an idea what to expect from a mobile camping safari. This itinerary can be tailormade and booked on a private basis depending on your interests.

A walking safari in unspoilt wilderness, escorted by Samburu and Maasai guides and their camels. Two nights (or longer) are spent in the bush in simple mobile camps, with supplies and equipment carried by camels and staffed by the camp team who will look after you throughout the expedition.

The duration of this expedition can be tailored according to guests's expectations.

A truly exceptional Lake Malawi experience with luxury accommodation and all activity included in price. This trip is designed for activity loving water sports enthusiasts who also share a passion for nature. It is based in Cape Maclear and Mumbo Island within Lake Malawi National Park with a veritable aquarium of tropical fish.

Start with a wildlife safari in the Selous, the largest Game Reserve in Tanzania. Selous is a unique safari destination where game drives, walking safaris and boat safaris are all possible from one location. From Selous you will fly to Pemba (Mozambique) to spend some time in Quirimbas National Park at Guludo - relaxing, getting to know the local community, swimming, snorkelling & maybe some diving.

Tanzania has some of the most untouched Game Reserves in Africa. The number of tourists visiting Selous Game Reserve is limited and this, together with its immense size, makes the reserve ideal for travellers seeking a sense of isolation, exploration, and discovery.

The natural surroundings of Guludo in Northern Mozambique are spectacular, with so much to discover both under water and on land. This truly unique beachside eco-lodge offers diving on some of the most diverse coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, and a variety of other land and water based activites.

The natural surroundings of Guludo are spectacular, with so much to discover both under water and on land. This truly unique beachside eco-lodge offers diving on some of the most diverse coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, and a host of activites suitable for young and old.

The lodge is set on possibly the best beach in the whole of northern Mozambique - an 8-miles stretch of virgin beach. Its tranquil bay is surrounded by pristine coral reefs. Although the reefs are virtually unexplored, indicators are that they host some of the richest coral biodiversity in the Indian Ocean. Guludo is a registered "PADI Resort" with an excellent dive centre running a full range of PADI dive courses for complete beginners to experienced divers. The resort and dive centre is family friendly, and children from the age of 10 can learn to dive. They can either do a half day course with one to one tuition ending with a shallow dive or a full PADI Open Water dive course qualifying them to dive anywhere in the world.

For non-divers there are a variety of activities to choose from including village tours, sunset dhow cruises, bush walks, beach archery and village football. Sail to nearby Rolas Island to relax on a secluded sandy beach and snorkel in crystal clear waters surrounding the island. From July to early November humpbacks pass by the azure waters off Guludo's shoreline.

Relax at Guludo's luxury eco-friendly camp, designed by award-winning architects who successfully created a unique and luxurious Northern Mozambican village feel. The natural surroundings of Guludo are spectacular, with so much to discover.

The whole of Northern Mozambique is only very slowly opening up to tourism. Along the tropical coastline are a series of islands, which have been dubbed `the African Carribean' due to their white sand beaches lined with palm trees. The area also has a rich and colourful cultural heritage, and some of the oldest towns in Mozambique.

The itinerary begins on the mainland in Quirimbas National Park at Guludo - nominated one of the world's top 20 beaches by the Daily Telegraph. Enjoy sunset dhow trips, bush & village walks, diving and snorkelling. The second part is spent on Ibo Island providing you a glimpse into the region's eclectic history.

This itinerary is designed to give you some of the best off-the-beaten track destinations in Mozambiqiue. Start exploring Gorongosa - one of the most exciting new experiences in Africa! - offering a huge diversity of habitats, species and flora. Ten move onto Nuarro, a unique 'beach & bush' lodge with world class diving. And finish the itinerary on Ibo Island, rich with history and culture.

Gorongosa National Park is ecologically unique, an area with high species diversity and environmental features found nowhere else on the sub-continent. It is home to a great diversity of animals and plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. From the lumbering elephant to the endemic Green-Headed Oriole and from the famed Gorongosa lions to the rarely seen fire squirrels, Gorongosa offers a unique experience.

Explore Gorongosa is the first private ecotourism initiative in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park. This adventure safari offers a luxury walking and/or water-based safari experience, combined with day and night game drives to fully explore the Gorongosa National Park. The safari itineraries are 100% flexible and subject to change depending on the season and according to guest's interests. In addition to the wildlife experience, this safari also provides guests with first-hand insights into the innovative restoration project underway within the Park.

Enjoy the unexpected pleasures of the Breede River Valley and Klein Karoo along Route 62, a scenic inland route which links the harbour cities of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Route 62 is a shorter, more interesting and uncrowded alternative to the N2 highway, and greatly affects the economy of smaller towns and communities which have been beautifully preserved. You will soon discover that the area offers the visitor an adventure, both in the physical sense, and visually, with a kaleidoscope of scenic experiences. The Robertson Wine Valley is one of the Western Cape's best kept secrets and the region produces some of South Africa's finest wines.

This itinerary is ideal for second time visitors, who have already experienced the Garden Route and Cape Winelands and are looking for a different experience. The ideal traveller prefers the freedom to explore sights and attractions at their own pace, have a sense of adventure, and appreciate the charm and quirkiness of small town culture. Accommodation offered is a mix of mid-range farm-style country houses, a luxury safari lodge and an intimate coastal guesthouse, and the itinerary can be tailored to accommodate families with children.

The safari location is selected for the beautiful setting, diverse ecosystems and variety of game, although not a Big Five experience. What makes the game experience at Samara also interesting is their Cheetah Conservation project.

Embark on an adventurous wildlife safari in a 12,000 hectare unspoiled wilderness concession area in the Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa. Follow animal tracks on foot through this environmentally sensitive area that offers the traditional Big Five as well as a remarkable diversity of animal and plant life. Explore the vibrant culture and get to know the Swazi lifestyle during an interactive visit to some craft projects and homesteads in the area. Explore the iSimangaliso Wetland Park by boat or canoe, enjoy guided coastal forest walks in Northern Maputoland and go snorkelling in crystal clear rock pools along a deserted stretch of coastline.

This itinerary is ideal for well-travelled families with teenage children (pref. 12 yrs and older) and first time visitors to Africa. The nature of the activities ensures that you will get close to wildlife, accompanied by highly qualified guides who will share their wealth of bush knowledge. The itinerary is designed to include lots of activities and minimum driving time to keep teenagers stimulated and entertained. Children under 12 yrs old are unfortunately not allowed at Plains Camp and on guided walks, but alternative accommodation options can be used to accommodate younger children.

What better way to treat yourself to an action-packed reef & shark scuba-diving and Big 5 wildlife safari extravaganza in the glorious and diverse KwaZulu Natal? Starting with diving on Aliwal Shoal & Protea Banks, described by Jacques Cousteau as the best shark diving site in the world. Followed by diving in Sodwana Bay, South Africa's diving Mecca and marine reserve within the World Heritage Site St Lucia Wetland Park, and the icing on the cake a wildlife safari in Hluhluwe/Umfolozi National Park.

This Shark & Seal Scuba-Dive Safari showcases some of the best diving in South Africa. Starting with an exciting dive programme in the Western Cape with shore & boat dives (incl. seal & wreck dives), shark tank dive in Cape Town's Two Oceans Aquarium and a Great white shark cage dive in Gansbaai.

For the second part you will fly to Kwa-Zulu Natal and dive the famous Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks. The excitement keeps coming! During June to October you are sure to see the Ragged Tooth Sharks as they congregate to mate. It is not uncommon to find 15-150 of these ferocious looking, but docile animals on one single dive. During November to February you can expect to see Hammerheads and the Zambezi sharks, the latter staying on until about May-June.

The Mehloding guided hiking trail is a Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) accredited and community owned. The trail is located in the relatively unexplored southern Drakensberg, at the junction of the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, and southern Lesotho.

The trail covers 7 days with 6 overnight stops at simple, but comfortable lodges constructed by local people with traditional designs and materials. A local guide accompanies all hikes and provides information on the sights, attractions, local customs, and language.

The hiking trail takes you on a path of rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage of Xhosa and Sotho communities. The route traverses spectacular mountainous foothills and rural villages, taking in visits to ancient rock-art, sparkling streams, indigenous trees, medicinal plants, craft projects, and top of the world views.

Please be aware that the Mehloding hiking trail is of moderate nature and the accommodation is simple, but clean and comfortable.

This scuba-dive itinerary offers you proper off-the-beaten-track diving, combining Mafia Island Archipelago and Mnazi Bay near Mikindani. Mnazi Bay - Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park in the remote southeast of Tanzania was gazetted in 2000 having been identified as an area of high biodiversity value at both national and international level. The Mafia Island Archipelago was designated as a Marine National Park in 1975, on the basis of its unique marine & coastal biodiversity and to protect these valuable resources from destructive fishing techniques. Due to the remote location of these areas and the intimate nature of its lodges, you will never dive in a crowd. Most of the diving is done off traditional dhows carrying a maximum of 8 divers.

Mount Kilimanjaro is famous as the highest peak in Africa, and perhaps what makes its snow-capped summit all the more impressive is that it stands alone towering almost 5,000m above the surrounding plains. A trek up Kili is an exhilarating, beautiful and challenging experience and your reward, of watching the sunrise from the top of Africa's highest mountain, is breathtaking.

BAOBAB offers you the chance to climb to the peak of Kili following the lesser-used Machame route. This route takes 6-7 days and offers a gradual ascent, a wide range of scenic areas and gives plenty of time to acclimatise.

This Kilimanjaro trek is available on a tailor-made basis for private treks, couples or small groups. Other routes such as the Rongai are also available.

Our Tanzania Special is an exquisite trip that runs on a tailor-made basis and combines famous safari destinations, such as the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, nature walks in the Usambara Mountains and relaxation and culture on Zanzibar Island. This 15-day, action packed, comprehensive and exciting itinerary is run at a leisurely pace - can you think of a better way to spend a fortnight in East Africa?

Experience all that the outstanding Lower Zambezi National Park has to offer; the renowned Chiawa Camp from where game drives, walks, canoe trips, fishing and river safaris are taken. Then a spectacular transfer 35 km by motorboat (or canoe) to tranquil Old Mondoro Bushcamp for walks and game drives.

If you would like to extend your Safari itinerary with a couple of days you can spend a few days in Livingstone and visit the world renowned Victoria Falls. The itinerary below is only a suggestion and can be tailored to suit your needs. There are various accommodation and activity options available to choose from.

A true classic African safari in the South Luangwa Valley followed by time in Malawi on Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park. Malawi is often referred to as the warm heart of Africa offering friendly people, diverse landscapes and the amazingly beautiful Lake Malawi.

This small group adventure safari starts in Maun and ends in Livingstone, Zambia. It explores the fascinating Okavango Delta water system and passes through some of the best wilderness areas of Botswana, ending at the world renowned Victoria Falls. Max group size of 12 people per safari.

This small group adventure safari forms a circular route around the Okavango Delta, starting in Kasane and ending in Livingstone, Zambia. The Five Rivers Safari offers a great value camping adventure through three countries - Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Max group size of 12 people per safari.

This 11 day safari starts and ends in Maun and takes you into the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve on an authentic mobile tented safari adventure. Explore the Xakanaxa area of Moremi and the beautifull Khwai Community Area that surrounds the game reserve. Here you will be able to go on a walking safari and night game drives.

During this 13 day adventure safari through Botswana you will experience the wide open spaces of the Makgadikgadi Pans, the wildlife of Moremi Game Reserve, the unique scenery and waterways of the Okavango Delta, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the famous Victoria Falls. This safari is only available during the dry season from July to October.